Vote29

WorldNetDaily: The Sacramento Union is back: "Historic government-watchdog paper returns online and as magazine"

The City of Twentynine Palms regularly hides the salaries of its top officials for so called privacy reasons, the court now says this is wrong and the People have a right to know.

ContraCostaTimes.com | 09/28/2004 | Public entitled to know salaries, judge says: "The public possesses an overriding interest in knowing the salaries of public employees, a judge said Friday afternoon, indicating he would order Oakland to release employee pay data to the Montclarion and Contra Costa Times, which the city has refused to disclose."

"A Twentynine Palms woman who died while trying to save her sister during last summer’s flash flooding in the high desert was among 26 people honored with Carnegie Medals for heroism on Thursday. " the desertsun.com | Local briefs for Friday, Sept. 24, 2004:

The same brave woman that the City Manager and members of the City Council maligned in the Desert Trail and in other local MSM was honored for her bravery. Another example of a civic disconnect by city officials.

Gary Daigneault in his recent broadcast voiced legitimate concerns about where did road construction funds go during the recent improvement project on Utah Trail. The Desert trail interviewed Jim Bagley on the passage of Measure I….. Sales tax extension sought... local politicians are asking for more money. Can we be assured that the money goes where it is supposed to go?

Gary brought up important questions it is equally important we get the answers.

Desert Trail, Letters to the Editor: "Last week a local radio personality launched a rather scurrilous attack on a candidate for the Twentynine Palms City Council. Although not named, the candidate was identified by occupation which made it clear who was being slurred. The candidate was accused of illegal activities with 'more about that later' being promised. Later never came and the damage was done. Nice job. It should make everyone think twice before offering to pitch in to help our community. Congratulations."

Desert Trail, Letters to the Editor: "The incumbents have created a hostile environment and have severely weakened the economic potential of this town. They have completely abandoned the original visions and intent of those who voted for city incorporation. They have made it more burdensome to do business and more expensive to own a home."

It's better late than not showing up at all. Gary over at Z107.7 finally has seen the light. While he spent better than a year openly condemning those who saw the corruption in Twentynine Palms, he obviously now understands the frustration and out and out lies of city officials.

We encourage Gary to continue his investigations.

A couple of months ago the "Desert Trail" and others in the local media ridiculed the Recall 29 concerning the discovery of City Manager Michael Swigart’s “Phony Degrees.” After a week of National Network exposure of Diploma Mills including Columbia Pacific University, Swigart’s Alma Mater, who now appears the fools?

During Senate Committee Hearings, Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) has stated that, "There is no place for diploma mill degree holders to work in our government, especially when we are talking about homeland security."

Using his “Phony Degrees” Swigart could not pass the security clearance required to empty the Base’s portable toilets, but with brazen contempt of the public good, the City Council gives him full rein of the city’s purse strings.

Our City Council to the contrary of National Policy, not only has retained Swigart, but they have gone so far as to give the man a raise. The council would rather exercise its power in narcissistic attempts to prove itself right than do the right thing.
I think it is high time that the Council join the real world and the rest of responsible government to take corrective action to protect the citizens of this city from a clear and present security risk.

In any case the new Council's first act must be to terminate Swigart.

Elaine Bernal is running for the first time for public office. She has been a CHP officer for two decades and hopes to bring her experience to the Council. Will bring law and order to the Council or will she shoot herself in the foot?

Jim Bagley has been around since 1992. The only consistent thing in his life has been his sear on the Council. He supported the State's Term limitations except we suppose when it comes to him. Has he made the City a better place to live or has he help distroy the economy of this once thriving town? Is he an asset or just an ass?

Joel Klink 46, is a lifelong resident of Twentynine Palms. He attended Blessed Sacrament School and Graduated from Twentynine Palms High. In 1979 Joel started his 25 year career with the United States Postal Service.
Joel and Tory Kink have been happily married for 21 years. Daughter Amanda 20, lives with her husband Justin in Glendale, Arizona. Sons Andrew and Mathew are students. Will Klink Deliver or will he go postal?

Glen Freshour is either loved or hated, there is no in between with this Councilman. We would like to know what you think. Is this guy the best thing to come along since sliced bread or is he the most arrogant horses ass to ever sit on the City Council? Would you like to praise him or do you have the low down dirt?